A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Nags Head vs. New Bern for Families, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Nags Head or New Bern?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Nags Head or New Bern? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Nags Head

It's also known for food.

New Bern

New Bern is a laid back, quaint, and charming town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Nags Head and New Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nags Head or New Bern?

Tourists will generally find more to do in New Bern. Although Nags Head and New Bern are both popular with visitors, New Bern has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. New Bern is more touristy than Nags Head and is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi. It is also home to the Tryon Palace. Nags Head is popular for

How is Nags Head different from New Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New Bern and Nags Head. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nags Head or New Bern?

New Bern is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.

New Bern is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many visitors check out the Tryon Palace while they're in town. Other museums include the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Carolina Creations Fine Art & Contemporary Craft Gallery, and the New Bern Academy Museum.

Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Nags Head or New Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Nags Head and New Bern can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Nags Head. There are a wide variety of seafood restaurants that serve locally caught fish, shrimp, and crabs. Cajon flavors are popular and you'll also find cheese grits at many places.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in New Bern. There are a number of local eateries, bistros, and cafes in town. You can sample southern favorites or something international. Popular dishes include fresh caught fish, crab cakes, and even tacos.

Is Nags Head or New Bern Better for Nightlife?

New Bern is adequate for nightlife. However, Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

New Bern doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is the Shopping Better in Nags Head or New Bern?

New Bern is a popular place for shopping. However, Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in New Bern. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nags Head or New Bern Better for Families?

Nags Head is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Nags Head is a very family-friendly place to visit. It makes a wonderful base for the many family-friendly activities in the area. Jockey's Ridge is a fun place to visit with kids. There are also wonderful beaches and many kids enjoying flying kites.

For families, New Bern is not always the best place to visit. Stand up paddle boarding and other outdoor activities are a fun way to experience the area with kids. You could also visit the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Tryon Palace, or one of the parks around town.

Is Nags Head or New Bern Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nags Head and New Bern make for a good place to visit.

Nags Head is a nice destination for couples. There are great seafood restaurants and a number of activities in the area that are fun for couples.

New Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town's charm and quaint parks make this a nice weekend getaway. There are outdoor activities and the Tryon Palace which is nice to visit. There are also local restaurants around town.

Is Nags Head or New Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nags Head is a popular place for backpackers. However, New Bern is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nags Head. This is one of the more affordable places to stay in the Outer Banks, so it appeals to more budget-oriented travelers.

New Bern is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not popular with backpackers in part because it's a small town that most people breeze through on their way to the beach.

Is Nags Head or New Bern Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

New Bern is mediocre for times when you don't have a car. However, Nags Head does not have public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

Nags Head does not have public transit.

Is Nags Head or New Bern a more walkable city?

New Bern is a popular place for its walkability. However, Nags Head is not a walkable destination.

New Bern is somewhat walkable. The downtown area is walkable and nice to explore on foot.

Nags Head is not a walkable destination.

Should I spend more time in New Bern or Nags Head?

How long in Nags Head or New Bern?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nags Head or New Bern to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nags Head than New Bern because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Nags Head, and 1-2 days is enough time in New Bern.

Families should spend more time in Nags Head than New Bern. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Nags Head, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in New Bern than Nags Head. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in New Bern that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New Bern than Nags Head if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in New Bern.

One day in Nags Head or New Bern?

The of Nags Head offers food. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Even though New Bern is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that New Bern has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nags Head or New Bern?

Nags Head is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

New Bern is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nags Head or New Bern?

Nags Head is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nags Head, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

New Bern is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nags Head or New Bern?

Nags Head is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nags Head has to offer. This offers something for everyone.

New Bern is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

When comparing the travel costs between Nags Head and New Bern, we can see that Nags Head is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nags Head Expensive? and Is New Bern Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nags Head or New Bern?

New Bern has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head and New Bern, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Nags Head or New Bern?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nags Head or New Bern in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as New Bern. The summer months attract visitors to Nags Head because of the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New Bern this time of year.

Nags Head is around the same temperature as New Bern in the summer. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and New Bern fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nags Head usually gets less rain in July than New Bern. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nags Head or New Bern in the Autumn?

Both New Bern and Nags Head are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to New Bern for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Nags Head is cooler than New Bern. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nags Head in October average around 62°F (16°C), and New Bern averages at about 65°F (18°C).

In October, Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of rain as New Bern. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nags Head or New Bern in the Winter?

Both New Bern and Nags Head during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nags Head for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to New Bern in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nags Head. In January, Nags Head is generally cooler than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 41°F (5°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. Nags Head usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as New Bern. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nags Head or New Bern in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and New Bern. Also, most visitors come to New Bern for the small town charm during these months.

Nags Head is cooler than New Bern in the spring. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and New Bern fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

In April, Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of rain as New Bern. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for New Bern and Nags Head